Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-01
THE PEkiNG CATHEDRAL.
Removal of a Catholic Edince Built
I'm 17O2.

king and the bestowal of high rank up
on the bishop and able of the diocese.
Since 1902 this edifice has stood within
the imperial city of China, and its lofty
bell-tower, overlooking the imperial
palace grounds, has been regarded as
an obstacle to the good influences OF
the spirits that haunt the Chinese i'm
aginations. Years passed, but all eff
forts TO remove the building were fruit
less until during the last year. the arts
of diplomacy prevailed and the old ca
thedral is to be deserted Its past his
tory is full of interest, and. through
the kindness of Rev. Father Barchi, of
st. lgnatius college, a Chronicle report
er obtained access to rare volumes in
the library which give history OF the
cathedral from It's inception.
In 1892 Father Gerbillion, native of
Belgium, who by means of his mathe-
NAUTICAL attainments had become so
necessary to the service of the Chinese
emperor, Kang Iii, that he had become
necessary To the council, ATTAINED a
decree authoriz ne freedom of Chris tian
worship throughout the country. In
1902 kang Iii was afflicted with fever.
and the native doctors were unable to
cure him. Father Gerbilion had a
small quantity of quinne which the
Jesuit fathers had obtained in Peru,
and by the aid of the drug cured the
imperial patient. As n reward for this
action kang Hi permitted the erection
OF cathedral in a corner of the palace
grounds.
The mandarans. then as now, were
bitterly opposed TO the erection of the
building, alleging the evil influences
which would ensue if the construction
was proceeded with In reply to their
objections the emperor told them:
These strangers have rendered me in
finite services, they refuse money. hon
ors. and office; they take delight in
their religion. and in granting them
permission to build a house for worship
1 can only give them qualification. "
Hang Iii also gave the fathres gold val
ued at 100000 francs which they in
vested in the stock of the British and
East land company. and until the dis
solution Of that corporation, in 1857,
the interes on this sum was paid TO the
Propaganda of Rome for the mainten-
dH1C Vi llllbSlOlls III Nulnd anu the east.
AS a further mark of honor the empe-
ror wrote two or three inscriptions.
which were carved on stone and placed
in prominent positions in the church
One. placed upon column, read as
follows: 10 the creator of every
thing" The others inscribed on tab
lets, were: ''lie is infinitely good and
just; He enlightens, upholds. and rules
everything with supreme authority and
with sovereign Justice" ''He had no
beginning and will have no end; He has
made all things from the earliest time.
He is the true Governor and the true
Lord of them.
These inscriptions Will doubtless be
removed to the cathedral. their value
being inestimable. not only in the ewes
Of the fathers. but also in the estimation
of the Chinese.
The building itself was about 125 feet
long and some 80 feet dc. Bricks
and plaster were used in its construc-
ton. For nearly two centuries the ca
thedral has stood undisturbed. Build
ings have been added in the shape of a
hospital and dispensary, museum of
science. and a room where "A splendid
collection of the flora and fauna of
North China, made by Pere David, is
arranged.
Attempts by the Chinese to remove
the cathedral have been Intellectual, al
though every emperor and empress
since Kang His time have used their
endeavors by threats and persuasion
In 1886 the empress dowager. who has
made the removal of this building an
object. sought the aid of foreigners in
the employ of Chinese customs and by
dnt of mission to the pope. aided by
the influence of the French minister,
under whose government the fathers
have enjoyed protection for many
years, accomplished her desires. The
fathers have received a piece of land
on the northwest corner OF the impe-
rial palace grounds, whereon they Will
build new cathedral. Bishop Tagli-
abue was decorated with the insignia
of a mandarin of the first class, second
grade, and Able Favler received blue
button. emitting him TO the rank of an
official of the first class. second grade.
In addition to the land, $50. 900 teals
equal TO $500, 000) is to be paid as
the cost of erecting new cathedral.
The only restriction placed upon the
fathers is that the new cathedral shall
not be built any higher than the Chi
nese buildings, as the occult wind and
water influences, which any tower
would be likely to occasion. will be
thus avoided. Ii may be noted that
the Jesuit fathers transferred their re-
ligious buildings and converts in China
to the Lazarists many years ago, and
ii was with the principals of that
mission that the Chinese government
dealt in their negotiations concerning
the removal of the cathedral.
The Singular conduct of the emperor.
granting honors and recognition of the
Catholic fathers. marks "A new era in
the history Of Christianity. 1t recalls
the golden days of the Catholic church
in China, when its missionaries were
advisers and counselors of the empe-
rors.
VicissItudes of Faro.